Sleep Sack System for Infant Head Shaping

ABSTRACT

A sleep sack system for treating or preventing a condition, characterized by abnormal head shape, in an infant. The sleep sack system includes an anterior infant pouch for containing a portion of an infant&#39;s body, a wedge, and a posterior wedge pouch, located on a back portion of the anterior infant pouch, for containing the wedge. When worn by an infant, the sleep sack system causes a specific portion of the infant&#39;s head to contact a sleeping surface, thereby generating a mild but consistent pressure to alter a shape of the infant&#39;s head. The invention is useful for correcting an abnormal head shape and treating or preventing a condition characterized by an abnormal head shape. The invention is particularly useful for treating or preventing plagiocephaly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/621,269 filed on Jan. 24, 2018. The above identified patent application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Infants often develop or are at risk of developing an abnormal head shape which requires intervention to treat or prevent the abnormality. Plagiocephaly is one type of disorder in which an infant has an abnormal head shape. Existing treatments for plagiocephaly include placing a special helmet on the infant's head and causing the infant to wear the helmet for extended periods of time. However, these types of treatments have a number of issues.

Existing treatments for plagiocephaly can be expensive for the payer, which may prohibit many individuals from obtaining treatment for the infant. In addition, they may require near-constant monitoring of the infant, which can be difficult for many caretakers. Finally, they may be invasive or uncomfortable for the infant.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a useful, cost-effective, convenient, and acceptable approach for treating or preventing an abnormal head shape in an infant. The present invention addresses this unmet need.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention elates to a sleep sack system for infant head shaping.

Devices have been disclosed in the art that relate to systems for infant head shaping. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices are often expensive, inconvenient, and uncomfortable. In view of the devices disclosed in the art, it is submitted that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing systems for infant head shaping. In view of the present disclosure, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in structural and functional elements from devices in the art, and the instant invention substantially fulfills an unmet need in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the disadvantages inherent in the known types of systems for infant head shaping in the art, the present invention provides a new and improved system for infant head shaping, wherein the same can be utilized for shaping an infant's head as part of a preventative or corrective measure.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system for infant head shaping.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system o infant head shaping that may be readily manufactured from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

In one aspect, the invention provides a sleep sack system for treating or preventing plagiocephaly in an infant, comprising a wedge, a posterior wedge pouch, and an anterior infant pouch, wherein the posterior wedge pouch is attached to the anterior infant pouch. in another aspect, the invention provides a sleep sack system for treating or preventing plagiocephaly in an infant, consisting of a wedge, a posterior wedge pouch, and an anterior infant pouch, wherein the posterior wedge pouch is attached to the anterior infant pouch.

Generally, the wedge has a wide side and a narrow side, and placement of these sides (i.e., wide side left, or wide side right) relative to a left side and a right side of an infant is central to the ability of the invention to correct a plagiocephaly, for example, a posterior positional plagiocephaly, in the infant.

For example, to correct a left posterior positional plagiocephaly in an infant, the wedge is positioned in the posterior wedge pouch such that the wide side of the wedge is adjacent to the infant's left side. This causes the infant's right side to be lower than the infant's left side, thereby causing the infant's head to turn rightward about a spinal axis. When the infant's head is turned rightward, a right posterior portion of the infant's head, which protrudes from a normal curvature of the infant's skull, contacts an underlying sleeping surface, such as a bed mattress, when the infant lies in a supine position. In this manner, a gentle pressure is applied to the protruding portion of the infant's head, thereby gradually correcting the protrusion.

Similarly, to correct a right posterior positional plagiocephaly in an infant, the wedge is positioned in the posterior wedge pouch such that the wide side of the wedge is adjacent to the infant's right side. This causes the infant's left side to be lower than the infant's right side, thereby causing the infant's head to turn leftward about a spinal axis. When the infant's head is turned leftward, a left posterior portion of the infant's head, which protrudes from a normal curvature of the skull, contacts an underlying sleeping surface, such as a bed mattress, when the infant lies in a supine position. In this manner, a gentle pressure is applied to the protruding portion of the infant's head, thereby gradually correcting the protrusion.

In some embodiments, the posterior wedge pouch has a left lateral sidewall, connected to a right lateral sidewall by a posterior sidewall, an anterior sidewall, and a cranial sidewall, thereby forming a caudal opening distal from the cranial sidewall, the caudal opening configured to receive the wedge therethrough.

In some embodiments, the anterior infant pouch has a left shoulder strap, having a left shoulder strap posterior portion, a left shoulder strap cranial portion, and a left shoulder strap anterior portion. In some embodiments, the anterior infant pouch has a right shoulder strap, having a right shoulder strap posterior portion, a fight shoulder strap cranial portion, and a right shoulder strap anterior portion. In some embodiments, the anterior infant pouch has an anterior portion, continuous with the left shoulder strap anterior portion and the right shoulder strap anterior portion, having a closing mechanism thereon for reversibly securing a left anterior portion thereof to a right anterior portion thereof. In some embodiments, the anterior infant pouch has a posterior portion, continuous with a left swaddle wrap, a right swaddle wrap, the left shoulder strap posterior portion, and the right shoulder strap posterior portion, having the posterior wedge pouch attached thereto. In some embodiments, a swaddle wrap attachment mechanism is configured to reversibly attach the left swaddle wrap to the right swaddle wrap.

In some embodiments, the posterior wedge pouch is reversibly attached to the anterior infant pouch. In some embodiments, the posterior wedge pouch is irreversibly attached to the anterior infant pouch. In some embodiments, the closing mechanism includes a zipper. In some embodiments, the swaddle wrap attachment mechanism includes a hook and loop attachment mechanism. In some embodiments, the hook and loop attachment mechanism includes a loop surface on a posterior portion of the right swaddle wrap, and a hook surface on an anterior portion of the left swaddle wrap. In some embodiments, the hook and loop attachment mechanism includes a hook surface on a posterior portion of the right swaddle wrap, and a loop surface on an anterior portion of the left swaddle wrap.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manners in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 depicts an angled side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system for infant head shaping, in use.

FIG. 2 depicts an anterior perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the system for infant head shaping, wherein a left swaddle wrap is not attached to a right swaddle wrap.

FIG. 3 depicts a posterior perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the system for infant head shaping, with a wedge inserted into a posterior wedge pouch.

FIG. 4 depicts a posterior perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the system for infant head shaping, with a wedge partially removed from the posterior wedge pouch.

FIG. 5 depicts a posterior perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the system for infant head shaping, with a wedge fully removed from the posterior wedge pouch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the multipurpose snuffer device. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered limiting in any respect.

Reference is now made to the drawings, which depict one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is depicted an angled side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system for infant head shaping, in use. In the shown embodiment, a right posterior positional plagiocephaly 5 on an infant 2 is being corrected by using the sleep sack system 1 to rotate a head of the infant 2 in a leftward direction about a spinal axis, thereby causing the head of the infant 2 to contact a sleep surface beneath the infant 2, such that a protruding portion 3 of the head of the infant 2 contacts the sleep surface. Alternatively, the shown position could be used to correct a central posterior positional plagiocephaly 4 on the infant 2, by contacting the protruding portion 3 of the head of the infant 2 to the sleep surface. Generally, the infant 2 must be in a supine position to utilize the sleep sack system 1.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is depicted an anterior perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the system for infant head shaping, wherein a left swaddle wrap is not attached to a right swaddle wrap. The sleep sack system 1 includes an anterior infant pouch 6, for removably securing the infant therein. The anterior infant pouch 6 includes a left shoulder strap 7, having a left shoulder strap posterior portion, a left shoulder strap cranial portion, and a left shoulder strap anterior portion 26. The anterior infant pouch 6 includes a right shoulder strap 8, having a right shoulder strap posterior portion, a right shoulder strap cranial portion, and a right shoulder strap anterior portion 29. The anterior infant pouch 6 includes an anterior portion 30, continuous with the left shoulder strap anterior portion 26 and the right shoulder strap anterior portion 29, having a closing mechanism 13 thereon for reversibly securing a left anterior portion 32 thereof to a right anterior portion 31 thereof. The anterior infant pouch 6 includes a posterior portion, continuous with a left swaddle wrap 9, a right swaddle wrap 10, the left shoulder strap posterior portion, and the right shoulder strap posterior portion. A swaddle wrap attachment mechanism (11, 12) is configured to reversibly attach the left swaddle wrap 9 to the right swaddle wrap 10.

During use of the system, the infant is inserted such that a head of the infant protrudes upward between the left shoulder strap 7 and the right shoulder strap 8, and such that a lower portion of the infant, including the infant's legs, are positioned within a lower portion 34 of the anterior infant pouch 6. The lower portion 34 of the anterior infant pouch 6 is closed to prevent the infant from slipping out of the anterior infant pouch 6. To secure the infant inside the anterior infant pouch 6, the closing mechanism 13 is closed, and the swaddle wrap attachment mechanism (11, 12) is attached, thereby swaddling the infant inside the anterior infant pouch 6. In the shown embodiment, the right swaddle wrap 10 is first placed over a chest of the infant, and the left swaddle wrap 9 is then placed over the right swaddle wrap 10, thereby causing an anterior portion of the left swaddle wrap 11 to engage with a posterior portion of the right swaddle wrap 12. In this manner, the infant is comforted and secured within the system 1.

In some embodiments, the closing mechanism 13 includes a zipper. In some embodiments, the swaddle wrap attachment mechanism (11, 12) includes a hook and loop attachment mechanism. In some embodiments, the hook and loop attachment mechanism includes a loop surface on a posterior portion of the right swaddle wrap 12, and a hook surface on an anterior portion of the left swaddle wrap 11. In sonic embodiments, the hook and loop attachment mechanism includes a hook surface on the posterior portion of the right swaddle wrap 12, and a loop surface on the anterior portion of the left swaddle wrap 11.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is depicted a posterior perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the system for infant head shaping, with a wedge inserted into a posterior wedge pouch. Generally, a wedge is inserted into the posterior wedge pouch 14 by sliding the wedge through a caudal opening 15 at a bottom end of the posterior wedge pouch 14. In the shown embodiment, the sleep sack system 1 is configured to correct a left posterior positional plagiocephaly in the infant, because the wedge is positioned in the posterior wedge pouch 14 such that a wide side of the wedge is adjacent to the infant's left side (e.g., adjacent to the left shoulder strap 7), which causes the infant's right side to he lower than the infant's left side. This causes the infant's head to turn rightward about the spinal axis, thereby causing the right posterior portion of the infant's head, which protrudes from a normal curvature of the skull, to contact an underlying sleeping surface. The surface may be a bed, and the infant must lay in a supine position. In this manner, a gentle pressure is applied to the protruding portion of the infant's head, thereby gradually correcting the protrusion. In general, a shape of the posterior wedge pouch 14 is defined by the wedge, and the posterior wedge pouch 14 may be comprised of a flexible or elastic material.

Generally,the posterior wedge pouch 14 includes a left lateral sidewall 19, connected to a right lateral sidewall 20 by a posterior sidewall 21, an anterior sidewall 22, and a cranial sidewall 23. This configuration forms the caudal opening 15 that is distal from the cranial sidewall 23, such that the caudal opening 15 is configured to receive the wedge therethrough, in some embodiments, the posterior wedge pouch 14 is removably attached to the anterior infant pouch 6, thereby facilitating rearrangement of the posterior wedge pouch 14 relative to the anterior infant pouch 6. In some embodiments, the posterior wedge pouch 14 is permanently or semi-permanently attached to the anterior infant pouch 6, thereby reinforcing the system 1 and reducing an effect of use of the system 1 on a structural integrity of the system 1.

The anterior infant pouch 6 includes several portions important for its function. The anterior infant pouch 6 includes the left shoulder strap 7, having the left shoulder strap posterior portion 24, the left shoulder strap cranial portion 25, and the left shoulder strap anterior portion. The anterior infant pouch 6 includes the tight shoulder strap 8, having the right shoulder strap posterior portion 27, the right shoulder strap cranial portion 28, and the right shoulder strap anterior portion. The anterior infant pouch 6 includes a posterior portion 33, continuous with the left swaddle wrap, the right swaddle wrap, the left shoulder strap posterior portion 24, and the right shoulder strap posterior portion 27.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is depicted a posterior perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the system for infant head shaping, with a wedge partially removed from the posterior wedge pouch. In the shown embodiment of the system 1, the wedge 16 is being removed from the posterior wedge pouch 14, through the caudal opening 15. Generally, the posterior wedge pouch 14 conforms to a shape of the wedge 16, and the posterior wedge pouch 14 includes an elastic material to facilitate this conformation.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is depicted a posterior perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the system for infant head shaping, with a wedge fully removed from the posterior wedge pouch. In the shown embodiment of the system 1, the wedge 16 has been fully removed from the posterior wedge pouch 14, through the caudal opening 15. The wedge 16 includes a wide side 17, and a narrow side 18. In this figure, the wedge 16 has been rotated relative to the wedge 16 in FIG. 4 to emphasize the shape of the wedge. The wedge 6 has an elongated wedge shape, with two long sides and two short sides, configured to support the infant thereon during use of the system 1. Each of the short sides is wider at the wide side 17, and narrower at the narrow side 18. Generally, the wedge 16 is made of a semi-firm, foam, cushion material, or firm padding material that is both comfortable for the infant to lay on, and firm enough to not envelop the infant when in use. In this manner, the wedge 16 is safe for use with the infant.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application hereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and its embodiments with modifications as suited to the use contemplated.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in the most practical and exemplary embodiments. It should be recognized that departures may be made which fall within the scope of the invention. With respect to the description provided herein, it is submitted that the optimal features of the invention include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use. All structures, functions, and relationships equivalent or essentially equivalent to those disclosed are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 

I claim: 1) A sleep sack system for treating or preventing plagiocephaly in an infant, comprising: a wedge, having a wide side and a narrow side; a posterior wedge pouch, for removably securing the wedge therein, having: a left lateral sidewall, connected to a right lateral sidewall by a posterior sidewall, an anterior sidewall, and a cranial sidewall, thereby forming a caudal opening distal from the cranial sidewall, the caudal opening configured to receive the wedge therethrough; an anterior infant pouch, for removably securing the infant therein, having: a left shoulder strap, comprising a left shoulder strap posterior portion, a left shoulder strap cranial portion, and a left shoulder strap anterior portion; a right shoulder strap, comprising a right shoulder strap posterior portion, a right shoulder strap cranial portion, and a right shoulder strap anterior portion; an anterior portion, continuous with the left shoulder strap anterior portion and the right shoulder strap anterior portion, having a closing mechanism thereon for reversibly securing a left anterior portion thereof to a right anterior portion thereof; a posterior portion, continuous with a left swaddle wrap, a right swaddle wrap, the left shoulder strap posterior portion, and the right shoulder strap posterior portion, having the posterior wedge pouch attached thereto; a swaddle wrap attachment mechanism configured to reversibly attach the left swaddle wrap to the right swaddle wrap. 2) The sleep sack system of claim 1, wherein the posterior wedge pouch is reversibly attached to the anterior infant pouch. 3) The sleep sack system of claim 1, wherein the posterior wedge pouch is irreversibly attached to the anterior infant pouch. 4) The sleep sack system of claim 1, wherein the closing mechanism includes a zipper. 5) The sleep sack system of claim 1, wherein the wedge includes a firm padding material. 6) The sleep sack system of claim 1, wherein the posterior wedge pouch is configured to conform to a shape of the wedge. 7) The sleep sack system of claim 6, wherein the posterior wedge pouch includes an elastic material. 8) The sleep sack system of claim 1, wherein the swaddle wrap attachment mechanism includes a hook and loop attachment mechanism. 9) The sleep sack system of claim 8, wherein the hook and loop attachment mechanism includes a loop surface on a posterior portion of the right swaddle wrap, and a hook surface on an anterior portion of the left swaddle wrap. 10) The sleep sack system of claim 8, wherein the hook and loop attachment mechanism includes a hook surface on a posterior portion of the right swaddle wrap, and a loop surface on an anterior portion of the left swaddle wrap. 11) A sleep sack system for treating or preventing plagiocephaly in an infant, consisting of: a wedge, having a wide side and a narrow side; a posterior wedge pouch, for removably securing the wedge therein, having: a left lateral sidewall, connected to a right lateral sidewall by a posterior sidewall, an anterior sidewall, and a cranial sidewalk thereby forming a caudal opening distal from the cranial sidewall, the caudal opening configured to receive the wedge therethrough; an anterior infant pouch, for removably securing the infant therein, having: a left shoulder strap, comprising a left shoulder strap posterior portion, a left shoulder strap cranial portion, and a left shoulder strap anterior portion; a right shoulder strap, comprising a right shoulder strap posterior portion, a right shoulder strap cranial portion, and a right shoulder strap anterior portion; an anterior portion, continuous with the left shoulder strap anterior portion and the right shoulder strap anterior portion, having a closing mechanism thereon for reversibly securing a left anterior portion thereof to a right anterior portion thereof; a posterior portion, continuous with a left swaddle wrap, a right swaddle wrap, the left shoulder strap posterior portion, and the right shoulder strap posterior portion, having the posterior wedge pouch attached thereto; a swaddle wrap attachment mechanism configured to reversibly attach the left swaddle wrap to the right swaddle wrap. 12) The sleep sack system of claim 11, wherein the posterior wedge pouch is reversibly attached to the anterior infant pouch. 13) The sleep sack system of claim 11, wherein the posterior wedge pouch is irreversibly attached to the anterior infant pouch. 14) The sleep sack system of claim 11, wherein the closing mechanism includes a zipper. 15) The sleep sack system of claim 11, wherein the wedge includes a firm padding material. 16) The sleep sack system of claim 11, wherein the posterior wedge pouch is configured to conform to a shape of the wedge. 17) The sleep sack system of claim 16, wherein the posterior wedge pouch includes air elastic material. 18) The sleep sack system of claim 11, wherein the swaddle wrap attachment mechanism includes a hook and loop attachment mechanism. 19) The sleep sack system of claim 18, wherein the hook and loop attachment mechanism includes a loop surface on a posterior portion of the right swaddle wrap, and a hook surface on an anterior portion of the left swaddle wrap. 20) The sleep sack system of claim 18, wherein the hook and loop attachment mechanism includes a hook surface on a posterior portion of the right swaddle wrap, and a loop surface on an anterior portion of the left swaddle wrap. 